Green Economies and Infrastructure
SDDirect provides cutting edge social development expertise to economic development and climate programmes.
We work with a range of stakeholders in the public and private sectors worldwide providing gender mainstreaming, institutional strengthening, and technical guidance.
We work in sectors ranging from climate resilience, inclusive urban development & infrastructure, women’s economic empowerment, to digital inclusion.
What is Green Economies and Infrastructure?
As the climate crisis deepens, novel technologies, expertise, and new energy sources are emerging, paving the way for ‘green economies.’
Beyond curbing emissions and adapting to climate shifts, a green economy combines climate resilience with social and economic benefits necessary for human progress. However, neglecting to draw from past lessons and knowledge could lead us to unintentionally recreate the imbalanced power dynamics that drive exclusion within these emerging green economies.
Our vision for green economies is one where environmental sustainability is achieved alongside inclusive prosperity and a just transition, where no one is left behind.
Our work in this area
We address the challenge of creating inclusive and prosperous green economies by collaborating with stakeholders in the public and private sectors worldwide. We bring innovative social development practice and experience in gender mainstreaming, programme delivery, research, policy and technical guidance across economic development and climate resilience programmes.
We promote inclusive cities and infrastructure as catalysts for shared progress. Women's economic empowerment forms a foundational pillar, fostering a level playing field of opportunities. Our work on digital inclusion ensures that the benefits of green economies reach every corner of society. We support the development of high-integrity voluntary carbon crediting where benefits extend meaningfully to women. We also support the private sector on a diverse range of social development issues, ranging from advice on gender-based violence and safeguarding risks; to supporting gender-lens and social impact investing.
Across all areas, we support disability inclusion in economic development and climate change programming, ensuring that attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers that people with disabilities face are overcome.
“SDDirect are clearly very professional in their engagement with clients and stakeholders, checking in for feedback and conscientiously addressing any concerns, directions and supporting clients’ vision. They do this while balancing delivering technical guidance and input.“
EBRD
“Evaluators found an increase in the proportion of programmes achieving the Fund’s minimum standards on design and internal capability from over 50% in 2018/19 to over 80% by 2020/21.”
FCDO’s Annual Evaluation Report (2020-2021) where the Prosperity Fund, supported by SDDIrect, was highlighted as a case study.
If you would like to hear more about our work on Green Economies and Infrastructure (GEI), please reach out to Faraz Hassan, Head of Green Economies and Infrastructure Portfolio, Faraz@sddirect.org.uk.
Opportunities and Risks of New Technologies for Women's Economic Empowerment
Produced in response to a query which requested more knowledge and understanding on how gender and inclusion (G&I) and women's economic empowerment (WEE) are being integrated into digital/tech programming at the Prosperity Fund (PF), and to consider opportunities to increase the level of ambition on G&I/WEE.
LINKS - Catalysing Economic Growth for Northern Nigeria, FCDO
The Nigeria LINKS Programme is a £67.5m, seven-year programme funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. It seeks to support the development of a vibrant and diversified economy in the three key northern Nigerian states of Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, collectively acting as a powerful engine of northern economic growth.
Green Growth Opportunities in Urban Areas of Mozambique
Conducted by Sohna Ngum and Deborah Livingstone, this research on green growth opportunities in urban areas of Mozambique identifies sectors with the greatest potential to generate employment or economic empowerment for young people.
Briefing on Women and Net Zero Economy
This briefing compliments the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) Helpdesk's Primer on Women's Economic Empowerment and Climate Change, by considering changes in garment, agriculture, and energy supply chains to identify opportunities for the transition to a net-zero economy to deliver decent job opportunities for women.
Women's Economic Empowerment and Climate Change: Primer
This primer was produced through the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) Helpdesk, identifying ten opportunities to accelerate action and raise ambition on women's economic empowerment and climate change.
Measurement of Women's Economic Empowerment
This Guidance Note aims to analyse international best practice in the field of Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) measurement and compare this to current DFID/HGM practices; and provide recommendations for DFID/HMG to increase the effectiveness and consistency in their WEE measurement approach.
Promoting Economic Empowerment for Women in the Informal Economy
This WOW Helpdesk Guidance Note aims to provide analysis on the gender dynamics of informal work, and provide subsequent recommendations for DFID and UK Government advisers, working on economic development.
Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) Programme
The WOW programme is a 5-year flagship FCDO-funded programme that aims to improve women’s economic opportunities through business interventions in supply chains and economic development programmes. WOW is being delivered by a consortium of global experts at the cutting edge of women’s economic empowerment research, programme design, and delivery—including PwC, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), CARE International, the University of Manchester, and Social Development Direct.
European Investment Bank (EIB): Gender Resources and Helpdesk
SDDirect provide technical assistance to the European Investment Bank (EIB) supporting them realise their aspirations on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment through sector operations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Working closely with the Environment, Climate and Social Office (ESCO), SDDirect produced seven sector-specific, gender resource packs in:
Our work in this area
We are experts in integrating gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and safeguarding into climate finance, including the Voluntary Carbon Market.
SDDirect and the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) Bharat have collaborated in order to shed light on how informal economy women workers in India are being impacted by climate change, and how they are adapting.
Propcom+ aims to support the transformation of Nigeria’s rural economy by addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges in the country’s food and land-use system. Propcom+ works with a diverse range of private sector partners to achieve these objectives. Social Development Direct has…
SDDirect provide technical assistance to the European Investment Bank (EIB) supporting them realise their aspirations on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment through sector operations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme is a 5-year flagship Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded programme that aims to improve women’s economic opportunities through business interventions in supply chains and economic development programmes. WOW is being…
The Nigeria LINKS Programme is a £67.5m, seven-year programme funded by the UK FCDO. It seeks to support the development of a vibrant and diversified economy in the three key northern Nigerian states of Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, collectively acting as a powerful engine of northern economic growth.…